I have a beautiful 1 wk old girl and we're getting the hang of bf at home. Im glad to know I am giving her the best, better than a powder formula or something else. However I know many people who either dont understand the benefits of bf or turn their nose up at it altogether. Leaving mee to look like an "old fashioned" mom if you will. Ive been told formula is easier, frees up the mom more allowing me to do things I "cant" while I bf- drink, go out and enjoy myself w/o worrying about the babys feeding schedule etc... not that their opinion will ever have me change my mind on what Im doing for my baby, but i can use the positive input from others
Where can I get a wealth of info on all things bf from support to info?
2007-05-25 05:39:36 · 22 answers · asked by charli_red1218 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
La Leche League. That's exactly what they're for. I breastfeed for a year. Don't listent to them. Just like I tell women who choose not to breastfeed and use formula; they are not you. You do what is comfortable for you. Nobody else matters.
Above mentioned to pump and breastfeed, that might cause nipple confusion and make it dificult for you and the baby. If you're at a resturant request a booth seat and sit toward the wall and cover up. That's what I did and nobody noticed.
2007-05-25 05:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by jdecorse25 5 · 9⤊ 0⤋
The BEST website is http://www.kellymom.com , there are also tonnes of links to other great websites. The La Leche League site has some great info BUT it's hard to find as the organization sucks: http://www.llli.org
BTW I recently had to bottle feed some baby bunnies and formula is SO not easier than breastmilk. YIKES! And bunnies only need to be fed 2-4 times a day. I can type and breastfeed, it takes two hands and your eyes to bottle feed. (So they don't get air). Not to mention the mixing, ugh and the smell.
You can drink -in moderation of course. Don't drink every day but once in awhile is fine. If you really go nuts then you may have to have some pumped milk ready. But for 2-3 drinks there is no need to skip any breastfeedings.
And if you breastfeed you just take the baby with you (well not if you go out to a bar ;-) ). You never have to worry while you are out if you have enough formula, or if the ice pack is keeping it cold enough (prepared formula only). You just nurse. It's no big deal.
When my son was an infant I would toss a few diapers in the car or my purse, put him in a carrier with an extra blanket or two tucked around him and go. No fuss, no muss. Everyone thought it was crazy that I didn't have to haul around a big bag. (Mind you once they start needing toys and whatnot that's different).
You are doing the right thing, you know that. Don't worry about other people. But do try to find some if not simpatico moms, some accepting moms to spend some time with.
2007-05-25 13:03:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations!!
I've been breastfeeding my baby girl since she was born. She is now 15 weeks! At six weeks (the recommended age), we started giving her one bottle of breastmilk a day. This way, if I was ever unavailable, she would still be fed. This hasn't been the case yet, but we don't want it to be a shock for her if she did have to take a bottle. Don't give the baby a bottle before that time.
It is not old fashioned. Almost everyone I know that has recently had a baby breastfed their baby for at least the first 3 months. And for the stay-at-home moms that I know, they intend to go the whole first year at least.
Yes, as with most things in life, there are negatives, but there are also positives. Nursing your baby lowers the chances of obesity, and increases IQ. Your baby will less likely have allergies and later life diseases, as the breastmilk has antibodies that help to fight them off. I think I read somewhere that breastmilk contains 400 times more vitamins than formula. Breastfeeding helps you in your recovery. Babies who are breastfed have less gas. It's a good way to bond with your baby. Breastmilk can't be contaminated, mixed incorrectly, or served at the wrong temperature.
Last but not least - It's free! Better for the environment because you don't have to deal with the packaging, bottles, liners, etc. w/ formula.
We usually give her the bottle when we go out to restaurants, and it is such a hassle to lug everything around, and get the bottle warmed up, etc. And sometimes, the warming up takes so long that she is already too hungry. I can't imagine if baby gets hungry in the middle of the night, that she would be crying while the formula is being mixed...
Good luck with everything!! You made a great choice. Hope the links below help you. Email if you ever have any questions.
2007-05-25 13:05:09 · answer #3 · answered by momjoy 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First of all, congratulations to you on your beautiful baby and giving her the perfect food for her.
The next time someone tells you how inconvenient it is to breastfeed, remind them that having children isn't about convenience. The months that you're going to spend breastfeeding are very short in comparison with the lifetime of commitment that being a parent is. You will have the rest of your life to enjoy yourself without worrying about the baby's feeding schedule, to have a drink, etc. Someday when your baby isn't a baby anymore, you'll look back at this time breastfeeding and realize just how fast it all went by.
For support and info, La Leche League is wonderful! You'll find lots of breastfeeding Mom's who are going through much the same thing as you.
Good luck!
2007-05-28 14:55:59 · answer #4 · answered by nightynightnurse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Formula moms are always bashing us, then they get angry at us for "acting superior" and "attacking" when we support each other!
Breastfeeding is SO much easier! I watched my sister do the bottle ballet with her children, while I nursed my babies and played with my sister's children.
You can have an occasional drink while you're breastfeeding if you want to. Milk with a tiny percentage (less than 1%) of alcohol is by far healthier than formula.
I agree that breastfeeding is modern and bottlefeeding is old-fashioned now. You're just ahead of the times where you live!
Keep going, girl, and don't hide in the house for a year! When you get comfortable, get out and nurse in public! I live in Kentucky, recently moved from Missouri, so I know about those places who haven't caught up yet. Anyway, breastfed babies are so portable. All you need is some diapers and you're ready to go!
2007-05-25 13:54:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just a word of advice, I wouldn't listen to your "friends" who are telling you that if you formula feed you will have more time. Those friends must not have children. I have 2 children, one was breast fed the other was formula fed. I have the same amount of "me" time now as I did when I formula fed my 1st child. I guess to some formula feeding you child means that you just hand them a bottle and you can go off and do what you want when, in actuality, you shouldn't do that anyway. Even when your child is being fed from a bottle you should hold him/her until he/she is finished. So the misconception that you would have more time to go out is wrong. You can always pump your breasts and leave your baby with a baby sitter. Actually breast milk is alot easier to transport than formula; you just pump into a bottle, put the lid on and there you go. When you purchase a breast pump they normally come with a couple of containers that are like bottles to make storage easy. I hope you will continue to breast feed your beautiful daughter because, besides the medical benefits, you will notice a stronger bond than you have ever noticed with anyone in your life!
2007-05-25 12:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by Nichole 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, I'm so proud of you!! I've been breastfeeding my daughter for eight months and I've found that after a while, the support kind of crawls out of the woodwork. IGNORE all of those ignorant people. Breastfeeding is so much better and saves you at least $1000 in the first year. Go to the website below to read some of the numerous benefits, so when people start to give you sh*t, throw facts in their face and make them feel like the a holes they are. You are doing the best for your child, try joining a La Leche League support group, or find a Mommy Milk Meetup in your area!! Good luck and congrats!
2007-05-25 12:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by new SA mama 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
dont let others change your mind of breast feeding. you are giving YOUR baby the Best!!! im 20 and breast feed my baby girl now a month old. its better than formula, and who ever said that formula is easier has no idea. getting up in the middle of the night to measure out water and formula and washing out bottles and warming the milk its such a hassle. i was at the mall the other day and i pumped some milk to give to her but she wouldnt take it so i went into the womens restroom and there is a small sitting area and i breastfed my daughter other peoples opinions dont bother me. plus is drinking so important that you cant wait till she is no longer on the breast? Hun your doing the right thing just keep it up
2007-05-25 13:42:33 · answer #8 · answered by tru_blu 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can acquire literature from any hospital, Dr.'s office, Social Services Center (welfare), etc.
I want to congradulate you on making a wonderful choice for your baby! It helps build their immune systems immensely! I breastfed and I'm from a smalltown so it was kind of frowned upon (ESPECIALLY in public) - not that I ever did it in public...I would pump and have bottles ready too!... I will never be in such a hurry for work or ANYTHING else that I would give up an opportunity to improve my baby's life. Doesn't that sound so selfish when it's put like that???? "Old fashioned can be looked at 2 ways and the way I see it- things that needed improved -we did! Things that were perfect- we still do!
Enjoy these rare precious moments with your little one and treasure the memory for all your life!
2007-05-25 12:53:05 · answer #9 · answered by Rebecca A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at a midwife's website. Anything about midwifery. Breastfeeding is by far the best thing to do for so many reasons. Most other people don't agree because they just are afraid of how it would hurt...it being inconvient, etc. But that is what they are there for anyway. If you do ever decide to go to formula...organic is the best. I can't breast feed and this is what I use. I actually know all of the ingredients, and my child does not get constipated from it like most other formulas. Hope this helps. http://www.midwiferytoday.com/
2007-05-25 12:46:49 · answer #10 · answered by Sandra G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well- there's LOTS you can do while breastfeeding. A drink now and then is NOT going to hurt your baby- I enjoy the occasional pina colada. You CAN go out and enjoy yourself without worrying about baby's schedule (that's what pumps are for) although you may just find yourself preferring to stay at home and cuddle your baby or go to family friendly events.
A wealth of info:
101 Reasons to Breastfeed, you can print this out for the naysayers if you want to educate them (otherwise ignore them!)- http://www.promom.org/101
Breastfeeding.com forums- http://www.breastfeeding.com/forum/ubbthreads.php
La Leche- visit a local chapter or post online at http://forums.llli.org/
MotheringDotCommune breastfeeding forums- http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=23
Stick with it- it's your baby's BEST start. :) Usually those who push formula either have an agenda (they make money off formula) or they are sadly uneducated. Depending on how you feel, you can take the time to educate them, or just say "I am doing what I believe best and I'm done discussing it". :)
2007-05-26 22:05:20 · answer #11 · answered by busybusymomma 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋